Charles Barron (Photo: Getty)

Outspoken Councilman Charles Barron is backing John Liu in the New York City mayoral election this year and he's also getting involved in races out of state. On Tuesday, Mr. Barron served on the host committee of a Soho fundraiser for Chokwe Lumumba, who is running for mayor in Jackson Mississippi. Mr. Lumumba is an attorney and City Council member whom Mr. Barron said he has known for years through their work in activist circles.

"Chokwe Lumumba is a long-time friend and freedom fighter," Mr. Barron told Politicker at a forum on stop-and-frisk last night in Brooklyn. "He got elected to the City Council in Jackson, Mississippi, which is, you know, a majority-black population town. There's seven Council Members. So it's good to see black, strong, conscious people getting involved in the electoral arena. And [when] he becomes mayor of Jackson Mississippi--that's going to be a historic moment."

Mr. Lumumba was a key member of the Republic of New Afrika movement, a group that began in the late 1960's and was dedicated to pushing for slavery reparations and the establishment of a sovereign, African-American nation located in the southeastern United States. Now, Mr. Lumumba is among a crowded field of candidates who are vying to replace incumbent Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., who's running for a second term. Mr. Lumumba has described his platform as being based on the idea "that Love plus the Power of the people equals progress."

"It's going to be great for all people to see a new kind of leadership that's a lover of human rights, effective in dealing with an objective--a locked-out, a most oppressed people in the country. He has a history of going all over the country doing that," said Mr. Barron of Mr. Lumumba.

Newark Councilman Ras Baraka was also on the host committee of Mr. Lumumba's Manhattan fundraiser and his father, the controversial poet, playwright and activist Amiri Baraka, performed at the event. The younger Mr. Baraka has declared his intention to run for mayor in Newark and Mr. Barron said he would be backing him as well as Mr. Lumumba.

"So to support Chokwe Lumumba for mayor, and looking at Ras Baraka, Amiri Baraka's son--I'm supporting him for mayor of Newark," said Mr. Barron. "Get rid of the Cory Bookers, the sell-outs, those who are afraid to speak truth to power. It's going to be beautiful day."

Tom Allon

Timothy McDarrah, a former New York Post editor who was convicted of soliciting sex online from an undercover FBI agent posing as a 13-year-old girl in 2006 sent an email to friends and former business associates yesterday announcing his support for local media mogul Tom Allon's mayoral bid. Mr. McDarrah's message, which was addressed to "my fellow Americans," included an invite to a fundraiser for Mr. Allon at the Woolworth Tower Kitchen next month.

"Tom Allon and I were high school and grad school classmates, and have been friends for over 30 years. I simply feel we could use a guy like him in City Hall," Mr. McDarrah wrote. "Do some research, get to know him, cover his campaign. If you live in New York and vote, please consider pulling the lever for Tom in 2013."

In his message, which was sent to friends and a list of Post alumni maintained by Myron Rushetzky, a longtime assistant on the paper's city desk, Mr. McDarrah acknowledged his support might be a double-edged sword for Mr. Allon.

"I debated whether or not to use Myron's Post mailing list for this, but obviously, I did. All the rest of my contacts, too. I also debated whether a helping hand from me was much of a help.

Mr. McDarrah finished his missive by promising not to barrage the recipients with more emails.

"Sorry to be a pest. Won't happen again. (Unless he runs for governor down the road.)," he wrote.

Update (1:32 p.m.): Mr. Allon responded to an earlier email from Politicker inquiring about Mr. McDarrah's endorsement of his campaign.

"Tim McDarrah is an old high school friend. He got into legal trouble, went to jail, paid his debt to society and is now re-entering the workforce and rebuilding his life," he said. "He is not involved in my campaign. But I welcome all endorsements (and votes) from all New Yorkers."

Mr. McDarrah, who also worked at US Weekly and the Las Vegas Sun, was arrested after arriving at an address the undercover agent had described at the young girl's home. At his trial, he blamed his conduct on an internet addiction.

The fundraiser Mr. McDarrah invited his friends to will take place October 15 and is being hosted by former Parks Department Commissioner Henry Stern, Paul Ginsberg, Martin Hassner and David Owens.

Beyonce and Jay-Z at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

Hip-hop's biggest power couple, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, held a fundraiser for President Barack Obama tonight at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Manhattan. In his speech at the event, Mr. Obama discussed his daughters' love for the musicians and what he and Jay-Z have in common.

"Let me just begin by saying to Jay and Bey, thank you so much for your friendship. We are so grateful. Michelle and Malia and Sasha are mad at me because they are not here," Mr. Obama said. "That doesn’t usually happen. Usually they’re like, we’re glad you’re going--we don’t need to go. But every time they get a chance to see these two they are thrilled, partly because they are just both so generous, particularly to my kids. And Malia and Sasha just love both of them."

Mr. Obama went on to explain that Beyoncé "couldn’t be a better role model for our daughters because she carries herself with such class and poise." He then discussed the similarities between himself and Jay-Z.

"Jay-Z now knows what my life is like. We both have daughters, and our wives are more popular than we are. So we’ve got a little bond there. It’s hard, but it’s O.K.," said the President.

Following those opening remarks referencing his famous hosts, Mr. Obama launched into what was basically his standard stump speech contrasting his vision for the country with that of his rival in the presidential race, Mitt Romney. However, at one other point in his remarks, Mr. Obama noted that, like him, Beyoncé and Jay-Z came from humble beginnings.

"And the good thing about so many of us here--and I know I speak for Jay and Bey--is we remember what it’s like not having anything, and we know people who were just as talented as us that didn’t get the same break, the same chance. We remember some of our parents or grandparents who came here as immigrants and got a little bit of help along the way to go to that school or be able to start that first business," said Mr. Obama.

According to the press pool report filed by McClatchy's Anita Kumar, Beyoncé and Jay-Z "both said very little," but Beyoncé introduced the president prior to his speech, saying she and her husband "believe in his vision."

In addition to his event at the 40/40 Club tonight, Mr. Obama also appeared at a fundraiser at the Waldorf Astoria hotel and on The Late Show With Dave Letterman during his visit to New York City. The Republican National Committee responded by distributing a list to reporters of the "Top 10 Things Obama Should Be Doing Instead of Hobnobbing With Jay-Z, Beyonce and Letterman," which included, "Get An Intelligence Briefing," "Tell Americans How He’s Going To Get Nearly 47 Million Americans Off Food Stamps" and "Meet With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

Charlie Rangel (Photo: NY1)

Congressman Charles Rangel is the latest Democrat to pile on Mitt Romney after Mother Jones released a blockbuster secret video of one of the Republican candidate's fundraisers in which he characterized President Barack Obama's supporters as the "forty seven percent of Americans" who "pay no income tax," suggested he'd have an easier chance of winning the White House if he was Mexican and called peace between Israelis and Palestinians "almost unthinkable," among other controversial remarks.

Mr. Rangel issued a statement slamming Mr. Romney's comments this afternoon describing them as "ridiculous," far from the truth and amoral considering Mr. Romney's own income tax situation.  

"Nothing can be further from the truth than Gov. Romney's ridiculous remarks that nearly half of American people do not pay federal income taxes, they pay other federal and state taxes," Mr. Rangel said. "The 47 percent figure cited by the Republican presidential candidate covers only the federal income tax and ignores the fact that people may pay a higher percentage of their income on a wide variety of taxes."

According to Mr. Rangel, "everyone pays taxes."

"Everyone pays taxes. Lower income persons pay state and local, property, excise and sales taxes. In fact, when all federal, state, and local taxes are taken into account, the bottom fifth of households pays about 16 percent of their incomes in taxes, on average. The second-poorest fifth pays about 21 percent," he said.

Mr. Rangel also pointed out these rates are "higher than what the Governor has paid in income taxes." Indeed, according to the tax returns the his campaign has released, Mr. Romney’s average tax rate for the past two years was about 14.65 percent.

"He has absolutely no moral authority to accuse nearly half of the American people of being irresponsible and freeloaders," said Mr. Rangel.

The Congressman finished his statement by claiming many of Mr. Romney's wealthy "friends" also pay lower rates than poorer Americans.

"Many of his millionaire and billionaire friends--approximately 55,000--are paying lower taxes than millions of middle-class Americans. In fact, in 2009, 1,500 millionaires managed to pay no federal income taxes on their millions. Before he judges other people about paying federal income taxes, Gov. Romney should come clean about the tax returns he's hiding from voters."

Allen West (Photo: West.House.gov)

Conservative Florida Congressman Allen West is having a fundraiser in New York City October 1, however, in spite of what the invitation says, he won't be holding the event in a Meatpacking District nightclub that is at least a decade past its heyday, Lotus. The official invite for the luncheon says it will be held at "The Lotus Club," which has been closed for years. Mr. West's event is actually being held at The Lotos Club, a private "literary club" on the Upper East Side.

Mr. West's fundraiser is being hosted by  the authors George Minkoff and Diane B. Saxton. Mr. Minkoff is known for his In The Land of Whispers trilogy, a historical fiction series based on the life of the English explorer Captain John Smith. Ms. Saxton is the author of the upcoming "psychological novel" Peregrine Island.

According to Capital New York, Mr. West will also be joined by Queens congressional candidate and Councilman Dan Halloran. The "suggested contribution" to attend the event is $1,000.

Mitt Romney (Photo: Getty)

Mitt Romney's motorcade ran into an interesting obstacle before a fundraiser this evening in Lakewood, N.J. Lake Terrace, the venue for Mr. Romney's event, was also being used by an Orthodox Jewish wedding party and, according to a pool report filed by Yahoo's Holly Bailey, the guests at the nuptials became rather excited when Mr. Romney's motorcade arrived.

"As we turned into Lake Terrace, the motorcade drove past an Orthodox Jewish wedding party that had been posing for pictures outside. Immediately, the family abandoned the bride and groom and began chasing Romney's car in the parking lot, waving cameras," Ms. Bailey wrote.

Apparently, Mr. Romney's admirers in the wedding party were undeterred by both a fence and the candidate's Secret Service detail.

"The candidate's SUV drove around a corner to a back entrance, followed by at least 10 members of the wedding party who tried to run up to Romney's car by were halted first, by a wood fence, which one man tried to scale, and then by Secret Service agents, who did not look pleased," wrote Ms. Bailey. "'Oh you're Secret Service,' one woman said, as she was asked by an agent to move back. 'We just want to see Romney.'"

A Romney campaign spokesman told Ms. Bailey the candidate planned to pose for pictures with the wedding party. Lakewood has a growing Orthodox population. According to its website, Lake Terrace specializes in Jewish weddings and can accommodate both indoor and outdoor chuppahs.

Cory Booker at an Obama rally. (Photo: Getty)

"It looks like the Obama Campaign has to bring Mayor Booker back from the 'dead' to raise money after a terrible month where the President's fundraising lagged and he declared to millions of unemployed Americans that 'the private sector is doing fine,'" RNC Regional Press Secretary Ted Kwong told The Politicker.

Last month, in an appearance on Meet The Press, Mr. Booker said he found the Obama campaign's attacks on Mr. Romney's career with Bain Capital "nauseating." His comments led to a report in the New York Post, which cited unnamed sources saying Mr. Booker was "dead to" the White House and the Obama campaign. Yesterday, Mr. Booker told us the fundraiser and his other activities on behalf of the campaign prove the Post report was inaccurate.

“I’m giving speeches around the country for the party, I’m co-chair for the DNC Platform committee, I’m fund-raising for the campaign, hosting Thursday’s event and more,” Mr. Booker wrote. “Draw your own conclusions.”

After the Bain brouhaha, both the RNC and the Romney campaign attempted to capitalize on the impression Mr. Booker had split with the president. Mr. Booker subsequently said he was "very upset" he was being "used by the GOP."

Cory Booker (Photo: YouTube)

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is co-hosting a fundraiser for President Barack Obama at The Plaza Hotel tomorrow and he hopes it will lay to rest once and for all any impression he somehow defected from the president's re-election effort after his comments he was "nauseated" by the Obama campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's tenure at Bain Capital. The Politicker reached out to Mr. Booker to ask whether he believed the fundraiser would put to rest persistent chatter in the New York Post and elsewhere that the Bain brouhaha signified a break between him and President Obama. His response was emphatic.

"Since when do you all at NY Observer give so much credence to the Post on chatter? I'm giving speeches around the country for the party, I'm co-chair for the DNC Platform committee, I'm fund-raising for the campaign, hosting Thursday's event and more," Mr. Booker wrote. "Draw your own conclusions."

Last Friday, the New York Post published a report citing unnamed sources claiming Mr. Booker was "dead to" the White House and the Obama campaign following the controversy over his comments on Bain last month. Republicans and the Romney campaign have also repeatedly tried to capitalize on Mr. Booker's comments about Bain.

Almost immediately after the remarks were made, the Romney campaign released a video citing Mr. Booker's comments as evidence the president's "key supporters" had "enough of President Obama's attacks on free enterprise." The Romney campaign also sent emails highlighting Mr. Booker's remarks and other comments by former Democratic Congressmen Harold Ford Jr. and Artur Davis as "Dem Defections" and the Republican National Committee attempted to raise money off the flap. In an appearance on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show the day after his comments on the Bain attacks, Mr. Booker said he was outraged by the Republicans' attempts to score political points off of his remarks.

“As far as where my heart is right now I am very upset that I am being used by the GOP this way,” Mr. Booker said.

President Obama (Photo: Getty)

President Barack Obama explained told an audience at a fundraiser in Philadelphia last night that he has much less in common with Mitt Romney than he did with his opponent in 2008, John McCain.

"The choices in this election could not be starker," President Obama said. "Back in 2008, I had some strong disagreements with John McCain, but there were certain baselines that we both agreed on. We both agreed on things like immigration reform. We agreed on the existence of climate change. We agreed on the need to control campaign finance spending. This time out, across the board, there is just a fundamental disagreement, a difference of vision in terms of where we want to go."

The president explained that the key "question in this election is going to be whose vision is most likely to lead us back to a point where economic growth is strong and is steady and is broad-based so that people who are willing to take initiative and work hard can succeed." He went on to say Mr. Romney's vision for the country boils down to two main ideas.

"Governor Romney’s vision is pretty much in sync with the vision of the House Republican Party right now, and it can be described basically with two ideas," said President Obama. "One is that we need to slash taxes even more, particularly for the wealthiest, most successful among us. And two, we need to eliminate any kind of regulations, whether consumer or worker regulations or environmental regulations, that in any way impede the free market from operating however it will."

President Obama explained that his plan for the nation involves working on eliminating the national debt while also leaving room to invest in education, research and infrastructure.

"The vision that I’m presenting in this campaign is consistent with what we talked about in 2008," he said. "And that says, government can’t solve every one of our problems and it shouldn’t try, that there are some government programs that don’t work and should be ended, and there are some things that have to be done at a local level, but there are also some things that we have to do together."

Based on his schedule for the coming week, it's clear President Obama plans to continue pushing the idea that this election is a contest between two visions. By characterizing Mr. Romney's platform as in opposition to his own and also to Mr. McCain's, President Obama is clearly trying to capitalize on the Arizona Senator's appeal among swing voters. It's a good strategy, but it may be dependent on Mr. McCain, who endorsed Mr. Romney in January, keeping quiet and playing along. Based on the bittery rivalry Mr. McCain and Mr. Romney fought in 2008, he might just be willing to do that.

President Obama

At a fundraiser in Maryland today, President Barack Obama criticized the core message of Mitt Romney's campaign as simplistic.

"Because folks are still hurting right now, the other side feels that its enough for them to just sit back and say, 'Things aren’t as good as they should be and it’s Obama’s fault,'" the president said. "You can pretty much put their campaign on, on a tweet and have some characters to spare."

The bulk of the attacks made by Mr. Romney's campaign since he secured the Republican nomination have characterized the sluggish economic recovery as the result of failed policies instituted by President Obama. At today's fundraiser, the president said he remains confident the nation's voters are on his side.

"The good news is, the American people generally agree with our vision," said President Obama. "If you just put in front of them, issue after issue and you present the Democratic approach and the Republican approach, we win."

He also claimed other countries would be glad to be in America's economic situation.

"There's not a country that wouldn't trade places with us," President Obama said.